Polymer composition

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to viscous polymer composition, comprising at least a component, A) a polymer A, obtainable of at least a A1) C4- to C10-diene as monomer A1 as well A2) vinylaromatic C8- to C20-monomer as a monomer A2; B) a polymer B, obtainable of at least B1) C2- to C20-olefin as a monomer B1, B2) a monomer from a C2- to C10-vinylalcohol and C2- to C10-carboxylic acid as a monomer B2; and at least one of the components C) to E), C) a polymer C, obtainable from at least one vinylaromatic monomer; D) a halogen comprising polymer D, obtainable from at least one C4- to C10-diene and at least one halogen; E) a filler; or A) and B), or A) and B) with at least one of the components C) to E). The viscous polymer composition according to the invention is especially used for the sports industry to provide bodies with shock absorbing properties.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is related to a viscous polymer composition, a process forproducing said viscous polymer composition, a composite comprising saidviscous polymer composition, shoe soles comprising said viscous polymercomposition or said composite, respectively, as well as the use of theviscous polymer composition or of the composite, respectively, forproducing bodies, in particular shoe soles.

2. GROUNDS OF THE INVENTION

By contacting the ground during walking, running or jumping forces areacting between the ground and the foot. The name of said forces areusually ground reaction forces (GRF). It can be determined with suitablemeasuring devices. The order of magnitude of GRF is usually 1-1,5 timesthe body weight (BW) of the athlete. During running the forces are 2-3BW and during jumping forces of 5 and 10 BW were measured. Theforce-time-pattern shows in each kind of foot ground interaction twodifferent phases. A hitting phase a) in the moment when the foot hitsthe ground, followed by a push phase b), whereby the athlete pusheshimself in a forward and upper direction. FIG. 1 a shows the landingmovement of a foot during long distance running. Approximately 80% ofall runners contact the ground with the heel first. FIG. 1 b shows thesubsequent pushing with the middle and front foot. The resultingvertical component of the GRF is depicted in FIG. 1 c. According to thisFigure, the curve shows two significant force maximum. The first maximumappears after 20-30 milliseconds (ms) caused by the hit of the heel. Inthe literature said force maximum is usually referred as“impactforce-maximum” since the human body does not react and adaptduring said short interval. The second force maximum appears after 60 msto 80 ms and is caused by the push. Said force-maximum is usuallyreferred as “active-force-maximum” or “push-force-maximum”.

Said two kind of forces have different consequences with respect to thebone- and muscle-system:

Impact-forces do nothing to the forces of the athlete. Impact-forceshave been considered to be relevant with respect to chronic anddegenerative injures of several sports, in particular when the heel isinvolved. It is therefore one object, to reduce impact-forces byemploying suitable constructions for shoe soles. Systems are intended,which easily deform under force and also disperse the energy.

The amount and the duration of the active forces determine theperformance of the athlete, i.e. the running force and the jump heights.This means that a certain niveau of active forces has to be saved, whenthe athlete intends to run a certain speed. It is therefore intended tosupport such forces. A shoe sole can influence this, which minimizes theenergy dispersion as much an possible and generates the necessarysuppression at the same time.

Studies have proved that depending on the sport, running speed, anatomicform of the feet, etc. the relative height of the passive and activemaximum to each other can vary. Therefore, depending on each single casethe situation depicted in FIG. 1 c can vary in a way that the activemaximum has the same amount as the passive maximum or can also becomebigger. However, it is the usual case that the maxima differ byapproximately 60 ms.

With regard to the suppression systems in sport industry, the followingsolutions can be obtained from the state in the art:

From U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,850 a concept is known when a sport shoe isapplied with a sole part, which should increase the performance of saidshoe. This should be obtained by employing shoe- or sole components,respectively, which “regain” the energies, which occur during runningand convert said energies in the push phase from the ground (also in thearea of the active maximum in FIG. 1 c) in a forward movement. For thisreason the use of elastic materials either in the whole sole area orlimited to the front foot area is disclosed. Suitable elastic materialslike 1,4-polybutadiene/rubber, or—as a shoe inlet—a mixture of EVA andnatural rubber are suggested.

From DE 87 09 757 a sole unit is known, consisting in a running sole anda intermediate sole, being fixed thereon. The intermediate sole isdefined by a relatively small, frame-like circulating strip, whichdefines a unit, which is closed on its lower end by the running sole.Said unit carries two sole parts. One of those sole parts starts at thefront foot area and ends at the beginning of the heel, where the secondsole part is located. It is preferred that the first sole part consistsin a polymer support inlet which has a relative high elasticity whenpressure is applied, in a way that during walking with said shoe a footbed can result on the sole part, which guarantees a certain comfort. Thesole part which is located in the heel area builds a shock absorber andconsists in shock absorbent, viscous material like silicone.

In a similar way U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,886 describes the use of shockabsorbing inlets made of viscous material in the heel area of a soleunit.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,335 discloses the use of a viscous shock absorbingmaterial in the front part of a sole as well as in the heel part,wherein the shock absorbing properties in the heel part should bebetter.

Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,483 a shoe sole is disclosed,wherein in a layer composition the viscous material which is a polymercomposition is implied as one possible layer. Said polymer compositionconsists in a cross-linked ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (referred asEVA) and for increasing the tensile strength and other materialproperties, for example styrene-butadiene-rubber. Furthermore, in saidpolymer composition silica gel is implied as a filler and furthermorethe usual aids for cross-linked rubber are used.

The above described known concepts have the drawback in common that theviscous material suggested therein are not adapted or optimized,respectively, or the above discussed time behavior of the passive andactive force maximum in the heel area. For this reason, the desiredeffect is only unsatisfyingly accomplished and a “fuzzy” or “bouncing”feeling results during running. This causes a significant drawback inefficiency and safety of the forward movement of the runner who uses theshoe.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a viscous material, inparticular suitable for the passive and active force maximum occurringduring the natural movement and which optimally uses a natural movementdynamic and thus provides a safe and efficient forward movement of therunner.

Moreover, it is desired that the viscous material can be used withoutbigger adaptations in known plants for producing shoe soles in aefficient and cheap manner.

According to the present invention the above objects are solved by aviscous polymer composition, which comprises and in particular contains:

-   -   A) a polymer A, obtainable of at least a    -   A1) C₄- to C₁₀-diene as monomer A1 as well    -   A2) a vinylaromatic C₈- to C₂₀-monomer as a monomer A2;        or    -   B) a polymer B, obtainable of at least    -   B1) C₂- to C₂₀-olefin as a monomer B1,    -   B2) a monomer from a C₂- to C₁₀-vinylalcohol and C₂- to        C₁₀-carboxylic acid as a monomer B2;        and at least one of the components C) to E)    -   C) a polymer C, obtainable from at least one vinylaromatic        monomer;    -   D) a halogen comprising polymer D, obtainable from at least one        C₄- to C₁₀-diene and at least one halogen;    -   E) a filler;        or A) and B) together on their own, or A) and B) together with        at least one of the components C) to E).

Furthermore, the polymer composition according to the invention cancontain the usual aids and additional compounds as for example tosimplify removing the polymer composition from a mould.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All possible combinations of the component A with the components B-E arepreferred according to the present invention. Furthermore, the componentB can be combined with the components C to E. In particular preferredcombinations of the components are given by the following lettercombinations: AB, AC, AD, AE, AEC, ABCD, BC, ABC, ABCDEF and ABCDE.

Furthermore, the viscous polymer composition is preferred, whichcontains components:

-   -   A) 0 to 99.9 wt-% polymer A, preferably 5 to 60 wt-%,    -   B) 0 to 99.9 wt-% polymer B, preferably 5 to 60 wt-%,    -   C) 0 to 99.9 wt-% polymer C, preferably 5 to 60 wt-%,    -   D) 0 to 90.4 wt-% polymer D, preferably 5 to 50 wt-%,    -   E) 0 to 40 wt-% fillers as component E, preferably 1 to 20 wt-%,        wherein the sum of components A-E yields 100 wt-% and wherein        the polymer composition always contains at least one of the two        components A and B and if it contains A or B, it contains at        least one further component C to E

The amount of component F if present is up to 15 wt-%, preferred from0.5 to 5 wt-% in relation to the remaining polymer composition.

According to the present invention preferably C₄-C₈- and in particularpreferred C₄-C₆- and moreover preferred C₄-C₅-dienes are employed asmonomer A1. C₄-C₅-dienes are preferably butadiene and isoprene, whereinbutadiene is in particular preferred.

Particularly C₈-C₁₅- and particularly preferred C₈-C₁₀-monomers areemployed as monomer A2. α-methylstyrene and styrene are preferred andstyrene is in particular preferred.

Polymer A is preferably a block polymer, which comprises at least oneblock of monomer A1 and one block of monomer A2. In particular preferredis a three block copolymer with on block of monomer A2 followed from oneblock of monomer A1 again followed by one block of monomer A2. Apoly-(styrene-butadiene-styrene)-block copolymer as for exampleavailable under the trade name Styroflex® by BASF AG is in particularpreferred.

Such poly-(styrene-butadiene-styrene)-blockcopolymers consist of“islands” of polystyrene as a hard fiber which are bedded in a matrix ofrubber-like statistical styrene-butadiene-copolymer which makes thematerial flexible. Typically, these materials have a shore A-hardness(3s)15s, according to DIN 53505 in a range of (85 to 90) or 80 to 85respectively. The shore D-hardness (3s)15s, measured according to DIN53505, is in a range of (30 to 35) or 27 to 32 respectively.Furthermore, such materials have a low glass transition temperature inthe range around −40° C. and a breaking temperature (according to DIN53372) in a range of approximately −35° C. Further information aboutthis material is given in the data sheets concerning Styroflex®,obtainable from BASF AG, Ludwigshafen.

Polymer B is a copolymer at least formed from the monomers B1 and B2.

The monomer B1 is preferably a C₂- to C₂₀- more preferably a C₂- to C₁₅-and in particular preferable C₂- to C₁₀-olefin. It is moreover preferredthat monomer B1 is an alpha-olefin. In particular ethylene, propylene,1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene and 1-nonene arepreferred and ethylene as in particular preferred.

Monomer B2, being further employed in polymer B, is the product that isfor example obtainable from a vinyl alcohol, in particular with 2 to 8and more particular with 2 to 5 and even more particular with 2 carbonsand a carboxylic acid with particular 2 to 8 and more particular 2 to 5and even more particular 2 carbon atoms.

Polymer B can contain polymer B2 in a range from 5 to 25 and particularfrom 15 to 23 wt-%.

Particular preferred as polymer B is EVA(ethylene-vinylacetate)-polymerwith a vinyl acetate content of 18 to 21 wt-%, based on the totalpolymer B in the viscous polymer composition according to the presentinvention. This EVA-polymer is supplied for example by Leuna PolymerGmbH, DuPont or Exxon.

Within this group of polymers, the content of vinylacetate as well asthe melting index of the copolymerisation determine amongst others themechanical and thermal properties of the polymer. With increasingcontent of vinylacetate, elongation, tension-tear stability,flexibility, cold resistance, rebound elasticity, tolerance andstickyness increase whereas hardness, stiffness, elasticity, vicatemperature, bending stress and resistance towards chemicals decrease.

Further details concerning the properties and the composition ofcommercially available polymers B, especially of EVA polymers can beobtained from the corresponding data sheet of the above mentionedcompanies, like for example the data sheets regarding the productMiravithen® of Fa. Leuna Polymer GmbH and Elvax® of DuPont.

Polymer C is a polymer, obtainable from at least one vinylaromaticmonomer, like for example styrene. Generally, such polymers are liquidin a temperature range from −10 to 100° C. Preferably, polymer C isliquid in a range from 0 to 70° C., especially preferred from 10 to 50°C. Regarding a C₄ to C₁₀-diene, reference is made to the explanationconcerning monomer A1.

The halogens in polymer D are preferably fluorine, chlorine and bromineand in particular preferred bromine. With regard to the conjugateddienes employed in polymer D reference is made to monomer B 1. Inpolymer D bromo butadiene, bromo ispoprene are preferred and bromobutadiene is in particular preferred. Accordingly, poly bromo butadienerubber is in particular preferred as polymer D.

As examples for materials which can be used as a polymer D, brominatedcopolymers of isobutene and isoprene have to be mentioned, which areavailabel for example under the name Polysar® of Fa. Bayer AG. Furtherdetails regarding such polymers which can be used as polymer D areprovided in the corresponding data sheet of Fa. Bayer AG.

As filler E all fillers know by the person skilled in the art can beused. Generally, fillers can be divided in inorganic and organicfillers. According to the present invention inorganic fillers arepreferred. Said fillers particularly base on Si wherein silicon oxideare more preferred and silica is mostly preferred. Besides increasingthe stability the use of fillers also increases the abrasion resistanceof the viscous polymer composition.

Further fillers to be mentioned are for example: soot, calcium andaluminium silicates, aluminium oxide, kaolin, silica, french chalk,chalk and metal oxides, like for example zinc oxide and metalcarbonates.

Above this, all known inorganic and organic pigments can be used asfillers, wherein pigments of titan oxide, zinc sulfide, iron oxide,chromium oxide, cadmium and chromate are preferred as inorganicpigments, and as organic pigments are especially preferred: diarylic-and pyrazolon-diazopigments, pigments of the β-naphtholcarboxylic acidor β-naphtholcarboxylic acid-arylits, derivatives ofnaphthalenetetracarboxylic acid or derivatives of peryleneteracarboxylicacid, pigments of dioxazine as well as pigments of chinacridoncondensation products, thioindigo-isoindolinone condensation productsand diazo condensation products.

Component F are aids and additional compounds which are well-known tothe person skilled in the art. Aids are in particular activators,inhibitors, plasticizers, cross-linkers, separating agents, softenersand blowing agents in the case that the viscous polymer composition is afoam.

Activators can be inorganic or organic compounds. According to thepresent invention it is preferred that the viscous polymer compositioncontains a organic and an inorganic activator. Fatty acids are preferredorganic activators, wherein sterenic acid is in particular preferred.Inorganic activators are in particular oxides of transition metals,wherein zinc oxide is in particular preferred.

Furthermore, it is preferred to add separating agents to the viscouspolymer composition. The separating agents known to the person skilledin the art can be employed. In particular suitable are separating agentswhich are a salt of a fatty acid and a transition metal, wherein zincstearate is in particular preferred.

Additionally, it is preferred to include softeners in the viscouspolymer composition according to the present invention. Suitablesofteners are known by the skilled person. Phthalates, adapenic acidester and polyesters with rather low degree of polymerization arepreferred. From these phthalates are in particular preferred, whereindi-octyl phthalate is in particular preferred in the viscous polymercomposition according to the present invention.

If it is desired to obtain the viscous polymer composition as a foam,blowing agents can be used which are known to the person skilled in theart. Preferred blowing agents are halogen free carboxylic amides as forexample the product ADC/K from Fa. Bayer AG or AC3000H.

The viscous polymer composition according to the present invention canbe produced by a process, wherein the above mentioned components arebrought into contact. Injection moulding is a preferred method forprocessing the polymer composition.

Furthermore, the viscous polymer composition according to the presentinvention is obtainable by bringing the above defined components intocontact.

The viscous polymer composition according to the present inventioncomprises at least one of the following material properties:

An energy loss in the range of 50 to 80, preferably from 55 to 75 andmore preferably from 60 to 70%,

-   a stiffness at 200 N to 400 N in the range of 80 to 150, preferably    of 100 to 140 and more preferably of 110 to 130 N/mm,-   a stiffness at 1000 N to 1500 N in the range of 100 to 400,    preferably of 150 to 300 and more preferably of 170 to 270 N/mm,-   a specific weight in the range of 0.3 to 0.8, preferably of 0.35 to    0.7 and more preferably of 0.4 to 0.45 g/cm³,-   an elasticity in the range of 1 to 30, preferably of 5 to 20 and    more preferably of 7.5 to 15%.

The polymer composition according to the present invention can have allpossible combinations of the single properties a) to e). Preferredproperty combinations of the viscous polymer composition according tothe present invention are given in the following letter combinations:ab, abc, abcd, abcde, bc, de, ac, ad, ae, ace, be, bd, and ce. Inparticular preferred is a viscous polymer composition with allproperties a) to e).

Furthermore, the invention is related to a composite, comprising orpreferably consisting in a viscous polymer composition according to thepresent invention and an elastic material.

The elastic material of the composite has at least one of the followingproperties:

-   α) an energy loss of <50, preferably <30 and more preferably <25%,-   β) a stiffness at 200 N to 400 N in the range of >150 to 300,    preferably of 170 to 290 and more preferably of 190 to 280 N/mm,-   χ) a stiffness at 1000 N to 1500 N in the range of >400 to 700,    preferably of 410 to 650 and more preferably of 430 to 600 N/mm,-   δ) a specific weight in the range of 0.1 to 0.3, preferably of 0.15    to 0.28 and more preferably of 0.22 to 0.27 g/cm³,-   ε) an elasticity in the range of >30 to 75, preferably of 40 to 70    and more preferably of 45 to 65%.

Preferably the elastic material of the composite can have the abovedefined properties a) to E) in all possible combinations. The followingcombinations are more preferred: αβ, αβχ, αβχδ, αβχδε, αχ, αχ, αε, βχ,βε, βχδ, βχβχδε, χε, χδε, δε. An elastic material in the composite withall the properties α) to ε) is most preferred.

In a preferred embodiment of the composite of the present invention theviscous polymer composition V1 and the elastic material V2 are directlyadjacent to each other. This is in particular preferred when thecomposite only consists in the viscous polymer composition according tothe present invention and the elastic material.

In another embodiment of the composite of the present invention theviscous polymer composition V1 and the elastic material V2 are separatedat least in one part by at least one further material V3. Said compositepreferably consists in the viscous polymer composition V1, the elasticmaterial V2 and a further material V3. The elastic material V2 can bemade of all suitable materials, in particular elastic polymers, known bythe skilled person. The further material V3 differs from the viscouspolymer composition V1 and the elastic material V2 in at least onematerial property, wherein the further material V3 preferably alsodiffers with respect to its composition from the viscous polymercomposition V1 and the elastic material V2.

Furthermore, the invention is related to a body, in particular a shoesole, inlays for shoes, protectors, especially for elbow and shin, andshoulderpads, comprising, preferably consisting a viscous polymercomposition or a composite according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the invention is rated to the use of a viscous polymercomposition or a composite according to the present invention forproducing of bodies, in particular shoe soles.

Above this, the viscous polymer composition according to the inventioncan be used to produce bodies in the whole area of healthcare andmedical applications like for example health-shoes, orthopaedic shoes,orthopaedic inlays or elbowpads.

The term body generally means forms, foils, fibers, films and coatings.Bodies are preferred in which the properties of the viscous polymercomposition or the composite according to the invention or both arefavorably applicable.

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are well described underreference of the following drawings, wherein it shows:

FIG. 1 The natural movement of the foot during running (FIGS. 1 a to b)and the resulting GRF-force profile (FIG. 1 c);

FIG. 2 a A force-time-diagram of two force fields, which are appliedfrom a measuring device according to the present invention on the heelarea and the front foot area of a sole unit according to the presentinvention or material layers, respectively, to determined the energyloss according to the present invention and the dynamic stiffness;

FIG. 2 b a measuring device according to the present invention used forapplying the force profile according to FIG. 2 a and for measuring theresulting deformation (and thus the energy loss and the dynamicstiffness);

FIG. 2 c The force stamps used in a device according to FIG. 2 b for theheel area and the front foot area;

FIG. 3 the deformation behavior of a viscous material with a resultingenergy loss (hatched) and the dynamic stiffness DS between 1 Kn and 1.5K n;

FIG. 4 the deformation behavior of elastic material with the resultingenergy loss (hatched) and the dynamic stiffness (DS between 1 Kn and 1.5Kn);

FIG. 5 a sole layer according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein in the front foot area an elastic material is usedand in the heel area a viscous material is used;

FIG. 6 a a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the compositeaccording to the present invention or a cut along the line A-A (or B-B,respectively), of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 6 b a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the compositeaccording to the present invention or a cut following the line A-A (orB-B, respectively), of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are now described bythe drawings which are not limiting the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a human foot with a shoe 10 which essentially consists ina shaft 20 and a sole unit 50. As will be described in detail later, thesole 50 preferably consists in a plurality in layers which is furtherreferred to as layer assembly.

To describe the principles according to the present invention, withregard to FIG. 1 a foot in its natural movement by walking or running,respectively, is described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1 a and in the introductory part, about 80% of humansstart the movement by walking with contacting the heel area of a footwith the ground. In the moment of said contact a strong stroke isapplied to the movement apparatus of the human. In the subsequent phaseof the roll movement the applied force is reduced until the forceincreases in the moment of the push (reference is made to FIG. 1 b).Therefore, the force-time-diagram depicts a curve with two maximums.

If for proving the above consideration a test person proceeds themovement typical for running on a force-time-measuring platform, theforce profile according to FIG. 1 c results. The ordinate shows thatforce equivalent (in a plurality of body weight) and the abscess showsthe time in milliseconds. The diagram depicted in FIG. 1 c is aGRF-diagram (since the forces which are applied during a step on thefoot are called ground reaction forces (GRF) as already shown in theintroduction).

As shown in FIG. 1 c the GRF-curve has a first sharp maximum after 25 mswhich results from a fast increasing force, which is equivalent to 2.5times weight force as shown in the example of FIG. 1 c. As alreadyaddressed in the introduction, this maximum is also referred to asvertical force impact peak-value (VFIPvalue). The phase in FIG. 1 c fromT=0 to T=A (approximately 30 to 35 ms) in the GFR-diagram is calledpassive phase. Said phase is related to the contact of the heel area ofthe foot on the ground (reference is made to FIG. 1 a).

After the passive phase of moving the so-called active phase follows inthe GRF-diagram. The second force increase in the active phase resultsfrom the push of the foot from the ground (reference is made to FIG. 1b). The stroke on the moving apparatus resulting from the active phaseis much lower since a force appears slower compared to the active phase(approximately 60 to 70 ms). The GRF-diagram is strongly dependent fromeach single case and the conditions involved (running speed, anatomy ofthe foot, hardness of the ground, etc.).

Since the force increase of the passive phase occurs much faster as inthe active phase, this results in a higher load of the heel, since theapplied impulse (stroke) is comparably higher. Furthermore, by hitting ahard surface the impulse is “reflected” from the ground, so that theanatomy has to absorb said impulse. This yields, in particular duringlong lasting loads (example given marathon runs) to significant injuriesor wear out, respectively.

Because of the smaller force impulse (longer force build up time) theload of the front foot area is lower. Furthermore, said front foot areahas a bigger surface and an anatomic form, which allows a betterabsorption.

From his fact it was derived that the heel area needs better protectioncompared to the front foot area to avoid atomic damages. Since theforces in the front foot area occur slower, the foot is more capable toadapt to the increase of load (which is less here).

It is favorable for the front foot area that the sole has the property,wherein the component of the moving energy directing in the runningdirection is released as schematical energy in running direction and/orfrom the ground. Again, reference is made to FIG. 1 b in this respect.If during the contact of the front foot with a ground genetical energyis again transferred to the foot, this yields in a reflection of thefoot from the ground and thus, supporting the forward movement.

The present invention is thus based on the result that in the heel areaand in the front foot area of a sole unit materials with differentproperties should be used: In the front foot area it is preferred to usean elastic material. In contrast to this, it is preferred to use amaterial obtained from the viscous polymer composition according to thepresent invention in the heel area.

From the above consideration it becomes apparent that the polymercharacterization and the of the viscous polymer composition and theelastic material the energy loss occurring deformation is in particularsuitable. This property (measured in %) describes the ratio of theenergy applied to the material over the occurring force field to theenergy obtained by relaxation.

To determine the energy loss of suitable materials in the presentinvention the device according to FIG. 2 b is used. Said device consistsin a platform 5, with the material to be measured thereon. Said materialcan be a single material layer (preferred) or—as shown—a sports shoe. Ineach case, it is preferred that the investigated material is used withthe same thickness and in particular in one of the same form, in whichit is used in the shoe later on. On the material to be measured adefined force field is applied by the stamp device 7 via a stamp 8(as tobe described bellow) (compare FIG. 2 c). Below the platform 5 there is a(schematically depicted) measuring device 6 for measuring thedeformation of the test materials (mm). The build up of the stamp device7 and the measuring device 6 is well-known to the person skilled in theart. Besides the stamp 8 being described below such a device iscommercially available under the name INSTRON UNIVERSALL 8502 of thecompany INSTRON Wolpert GmbH, Ulm.

The force field being implied by the stamp device 7 or stamp 8,respectively, has different profiles in the present invention for thetest of the elastic and viscous materials to simulate reality as much aspossible. Accordingly, for the testing of suitable viscous polymer aforce field is applied, which is called “heel” in FIG. 2 a. To be asclose to reality as possible, furthermore, stamp 8 a is used. Thegeometry of said stamp is equivalent to the human heel. Stamp 8 a has acircular cross-section with a diameter of 5 cm and a cross-sectionalarea at the lower end of 19.63 cm² (which is slightly curved). Formeasuring elastic materials, a force profile is used, which is referredto “front foot” in FIG. 2 a. The stamp 8 b is in said measurements asadapted to the geometry of the human front foot. Stamp 8 b has a lengthyform with a length of a 8.5 cm and is 5 cm broad. It is also (slightlycurved). The lower side has a cross-sectional area of 42.50 cm².Finally, the materials are examined with a thickness which usuallyoccurs in shoes (10 mm in the front foot area; 20 mm in the heel area).

Below, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 the results obtained with themeasuring devices 6 and 7 according to the present invention arediscussed. In FIG. 3 the deformation behavior of a viscous polymercomposition is shown. Said deformation behavior is obtained with thedevice of FIG. 2 b and with a force profile “heel” in FIG. 2 a, whereinthe abscesses shows the deformation measured with device 6 depending onthe force field applied with stamp 7. Said Figure shows that the viscouspolymer composition according to the present invention which ispreferably used in the heel area shows a strong hysterese behavior. Whenthe force according to the force profile “heel” as shown in FIG. 2 a, adeformation is obtained which relaxes slowly and with a significantlower counter force on stamp 8 a. Said energy loss can be obtainedgraphical or numerical and is shown by the hatched area in the diagram.The diagram shows a significant part of the energy applied to theviscous polymer composition according to the present invention ischanged into heat and is not available any more in the material whenthis relaxes to its original form.

The diagram from FIG. 3 shows besides the energy loss a furtherparameter which is important for the present invention, i.e. the dynamicstiffness (DS) of the tested materials. The dynamic stiffens is definedas the ratio between the applied force F (N) and the resulting movementd (mm). Experiments have shown that with respect to sport shoes twoareas of dynamic stiffness are of particular interest: The stiffnessbetween 1000 N and 1500 N as well as the stiffness between 200 N and 400N. Said ratios can be calculated as follows:Dynamic stiffness DS ₁₀₀₀₋₁₅₀₀=(F _(1500N) −F _(1000N))/(d _(1500N) −d_(1000N))[N/mm]

The value of dynamic stiffness between 200 N and 400 N can be alsocalculated according to the above equation. Said value is not showngraphically in FIG. 3.

The dynamic stiffness is according to the present invention of interestof a sole unit which is a layer assemble (i.e. a plurality of layersfrom different materials). This of course is one preferred embodiment ofthe composite according to the present invention. Said assemblies (forexample given with an inner layer, a middle layer which can comprise afunction layer and an outer sole) show the above described effectaccording to the present invention only if the stiffness of the functionlayer is not higher than the stiffness of the materials of which thelayers are made.

FIG. 4 shows the behavior of a preferred elastic material. As is shownin FIG. 4, the elastic material only shows a weak histerese behavior andthus only a very small energy loss. The material relaxes almostsimultaneously when the force is reduced, wherein almost all the energyprovided by force stamp 8 b is released. The value for a dynamicstiffness between 1500 N and 1000 N is shown (the corresponding valuefor the dynamic stiffness between 400 N and 200 N is again not shown).

It becomes apparent that for field sports (basketball, volleyball,soccer) the dynamic stiffness between 1000 N and 1500 N should be loweras 600 N/mm for the elastic material and less than 250 N/mm for theviscous polymer composition.

However, for running shoes the dynamic stiffness of the elastic materialbetween 1000 N and 1500 N should be less than 450 N/mm and the dynamicstiffness for the viscous polymer composition should be less than 200N/mm.

For a shoe for universal application a good compromise is: The dynamicstiffness of the elastic materials between 1000 N and 1500 N should beless than 600 N/mm and between 200 N and 400 N less than 300 N/mm. Thedynamical stiffness of the viscous polymer composition between 1000 Nand 1500 N should be less than 250 N/mm and between 200N and 400N lessthan 130 N/mm.

Taking the above materials into account, FIGS. 5 and 6 show preferredembodiments of soles according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cut through a sole according to the presentinvention. There is a running sole 50 of a shoe 10 shown which isdivided in a front foot area 60 and a heel area 80. The sole 50 itselfcan be a plurality of single layers as it is usually the case for sportshoes. For example, the sole can consist in an outer sole 55 and amiddle sole 59 and not shown in a sole (compare FIG. 6 a).

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention there isbetween the outer sole 55 and the middle sole 59 a function layer 57.Said function layer 57 can be divided in two horizontal areas, i.e. thefront foot area 60 with elastic material and the heel area 80 with theviscous polymer composition. Between said two horizontal areas there canbe a transition area 70. The front foot area 60 and the heel area 80 canalso be in contact.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention (notshown) also two functional layers 57 can be present. In such a case thefirst function layer in the front foot area comprises the elasticmaterial and the second function layer in the heel layer comprises theviscous polymer composition.

As shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, the functional layer 57 can extend alittle bit or a lot towards middle sole 59 (FIG. 6 a). This depends onthe application of the sport shoes. In cases, where the probability ofthe laterally hitting the ground is high (sports with jumps) theembodiment according to FIG. 6 b is preferred. However, the embodimentaccording to FIG. 6 a is for example applied to running shoes.

1. A viscous polymer composition, comprising: D) a polymer D comprisinga halogen, polymer D obtainable from at least one C₄- to C₁₀-diene andat least one halogen; and at least one of A) a polymer A, obtainable ofat least a C₄- to C₁₀-diene as monomer A1 and a vinylaromatic C₈- toC₂₀-monomer as a monomer A2; B) a polymer B, obtainable of at least aC₂- to C₂₀-olefin as a monomer B1, and a monomer from a C₂- toC₁₀-vinylalcohol and C₂- to C₁₀-carboxylic acid as a monomer B2; C) apolymer C, obtainable from at least one vinylaromatic monomer; and E) afiller.
 2. A polymer composition according to claim 1, comprising: A) 0to 99.9 wt-% of polymer A, B) 0 to 99.9 wt-% of polymer B, C) 0 to 99.9wt-% of polymer C, D) 5 to 50 wt-% of polymer D, E) 0 to 40 wt-% offillers as component E, wherein the sum of components A to E yields 100wt-% and the polymer composition always contains at least one of the twocomponents A and B and at least one of components C to E.
 3. A polymercomposition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer A is a blockcopolymer.
 4. A polymer composition according to claim 3, wherein theblock copolymer is obtainable from monomer A1 block surrounded by blocksof polymer A2.
 5. A polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein Eis a silicon oxygen compound.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A polymer compositionaccording to claim 1, obtainable by bringing into contact thecomponents.
 8. A polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein thepolymer composition comprises at least one of the following properties:a) an energy loss in the range of 50 to 80%, b) a stiffness at 200 N to400 N in the range of 80 to 150 N/mm, c) a stiffness at 1000 N to 1500 Nin the range of 100 to 400 N/mm, d) a specific weight in the range of0.3 to 0.8 g/cm³, and e) an elasticity in the range of 1 to 30%.
 9. Acomposite, comprising: a viscous polymer composition, comprising: apolymer D comprising a halogen, polymer D obtainable from at least oneC₄- to C₁₀-diene and at least one halogen; and at least one of A) apolymer A, obtainable of at least a C₄- to C₁₀-diene as monomer A1 and avinylaromatic C₈- to C₂₀-monomer as a monomer A2, B) a polymer B,obtainable of at least a C₂- to C₂₀-olefin as a monomer B1 and a monomerfrom a C₂- to C₁₀-vinylalcohol and C₂- to C₁₀-carboxylic acid as amonomer B2, and C) a polymer C, obtainable from at least onevinylaromatic monomer; and an elastic material with at least one of thefollowing properties: a) an energy loss <50%, b) a stiffness at 200 N to400 N in the range of >150 to 300 N/mm, c) a stiffness at 1000 N to 1500N in the range of >400 to 700 N/mm, d) a specific weight in the range of0.1 to <0.3 g/cm³, and e) an elasticity in the range of >30 to 75%.10-11. (canceled)
 12. A polymer composition according to claim 1,wherein the halogen is selected form the group consisting of fluorine,chlorine, and bromine.
 13. A composition according to claim 9, whereinthe halogen is selected form the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,and bromine.
 14. A sole for an article of footwear comprising: a viscouspolymer composition comprising: a polymer D comprising a halogen,polymer D obtainable from at least one C₄- to C₁₀-diene and at least onehalogen; and at least one of a polymer A, obtainable of at least a C₄-to C₁₀-diene as monomer A1 and a vinylaromatic C₈- to C₂₀-monomer as amonomer A2, a polymer B, obtainable of at least a C₂- to C₂₀-olefin as amonomer B1 and a monomer from a C₂- to C₁₀-vinylalcohol and C₂- toC₁₀-carboxylic acid as a monomer B2, and a polymer C, obtainable from atleast one vinylaromatic monomer.
 15. A sole according to claim 14,wherein the viscous polymer composition further comprises a filler E.16. A sole according to claim 15, wherein filler E is a silicon oxygencompound.
 17. The sole of claim 14 further comprising an elasticmaterial with at least one of the following properties: a) an energyloss <50%, b) a stiffness at 200 N to 400 N in the range of >150 to 300N/mm, c) a stiffness at 1000 N to 1500 N in the range of >400 to 700N/mm, d) specific weight in the range of 0.1 to <0.3 g/cm³, and e) anelasticity in the range of >30 to 75%.